You can braise any tough cut of beef this way, though
oxtail (or more often steer’s tail) is traditional, and you
may find it at your supermarket. The meat will become
super-tender and the sauce thick and glossy.
Other cuts and meats you can use: short ribs; lamb
shanks; chunks of boneless lamb or pork shoulder (which
will be much faster) or beef chuck or brisket (which will
be somewhat faster); bone-in chicken thighs (much
quicker).
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces good slab bacon, cut into small cubes
3 to 4 pounds oxtails, cut into 2-inch lengths
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 head garlic, excess papery skin removed, halved
crosswise
1 cup dry white wine
2 bay leaves
3 or 4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 medium to large tomato, roughly chopped (canned
is fine; drain it first)
Beef or chicken stock (to make your own, see chicken stock ) or water, if necessary
Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish
How to make
Braised Oxtails with Garlic and White Wine
Heat the oven to 300 F. Put the olive oil in a large
pot with a lid or a Dutch oven over medium heat. When
hot, add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until
it is crisp and has given up most of its fat, about 10 minutes.
Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, add the
meat, and turn the heat up to medium-high. Cook, turning
the chunks as they brown and sprinkling them with
salt and pepper, until the meat is brown and crisp all over,
at least 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
Turn the heat back down to medium and add the
onion, carrots, and celery, along with some more salt and
pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion
softens, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for
another minute. Add the wine and let it bubble for a
minute, then return the meat and the bacon to the pan,
along with the bay leaves, thyme, and tomato. Stir.
Cover and put in the oven; cook, checking after
about an hour and adding more liquid if the mixture is
dry, for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is very, very
tender—falling off the bone. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
If the mixture is soupy, reduce the liquid over high
heat until it is more like a sauce. Garnish with parsley
and serve or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before
reheating.
MAKES: 4 servings
TIME: At least 2 hours
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Braised Oxtails with Garlic and White Wine